


	Research@Rice is a bimonthly tip sheet for journalists on some of the latest research at Rice University. MAY 2007 BUSINESS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES A new "econometric" look at store locations reveals just how vital choosing the right setting is to the success of a retailer. For decades academic studies and plain common sense have reinforced the old saw about "location, location, location." New research by Seethu Seetharaman of Rice University's Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management uses econometrics -- the confluence of economics and statistics -- to come up with a model that more deeply explains the factors that determine which locations are most profitable. A clue: It's not just about where the most people live. The research also provides a model for understanding price competition among firms in the same geographic area. link to entire story Although multinational companies see the incentives and opportunities for investing in R&D in emerging markets, many fail to recognize or mitigate the potential hazards. New research from Rice University's Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management says that instead of realizing the much-hoped-for benefits of globalization, companies can end up with technology losses, financial disappointments and a lagging position in a changing competitive landscape. link to entire story Mandatory audit firm rotation may not be the panacea its proponents claim. After the corporate and financial reporting scandals at Enron, WorldCom and other firms, there was an understandable outcry from investors and government regulators. Among the suggested solutions to these accounting fiascos, which eventually led to the collapse of the Big Five accounting firm Arthur Andersen, was forcing businesses to rotate the companies that audit their books. According to new research by Brian Rountree, an assistant professor at Rice University's Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, the benefits of mandatory rotation are uncertain at best. Rountree's research also examines how former Arthur Andersen clients selected new auditors, and the factors that drove their decision. link to entire story Current congressional debate on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may change whether companies remain liable not only for keeping their own houses clean, but also for overseeing third-party suppliers such as accountants and ad agencies. Third-party risk tops the list of concerns for chief auditors still wondering how a company can really be responsible for risks that may be unknown and books it may not be able to access. link to entire story SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Making plasmas in the deepest of deep freezes Rice University physicist Tom Killian is one of a growing group of researchers worldwide who are unlocking some of the mysteries of plasmas by doing something nature never does -- freezing them to less than a degree above absolute zero. link to entire story Quantum dot recipe may lead to cheaper solar panels Rice University scientists today revealed a breakthrough method for producing molecular specks of semiconductors called quantum dots, a discovery that could clear the way for better, cheaper solar energy panels. link to entire story Study: 'wrapping' Gleevec® fights drug-resistant cancer A new study highlighted on the cover of this week's issue of Cancer Research finds that the anti-cancer drug Gleevec® is far more effective against a drug-resistant strain of cancer when the drug wraps the target with a molecular bandage that seals out water from a critical area. The research appears as a priority report in the journal's May 1 issue. link to entire story BCM, Rice make major advance in structural biology Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Rice University have discovered a new way to analyze the moving parts of large proteins – a breakthrough that will make it easier for structural biologists to classify and scrutinize the active sites of proteins implicated in cancer and other diseases. link to entire story Subscribe \| Send to a Colleague \| Comments \| Archive © 2005 Rice University \| News & Media Relations \| Jones Graduate School of Management JANUARY 2007 01/15/2007 - A number of studies indicate women say they get sick more frequently than men do, but on average, men tend to die younger. 01/15/2007 - The key to business has long been keeping customers satisfied, but a new, better way to profitability may be to nurture the right customers. 01/15/2007 - Coming to work in a bad mood just may be a good idea. 01/15/2007 - Participating in one 15-minute telephone survey can significantly affect subsequent customer behavior for over a year. NOVEMBER 2006 11/15/2006 - Downgrades in a firm’s analyst ratings or a drop in analyst coverage are likely to contribute to the dismissal of a firm’s CEO. In fact, these two factors are more significant than performance alone in explaining CEO dismissal. 11/15/2006 - As a society, people may feel they communicate 24 hours a day with the continuous buzz of instant messages and cell phone calls, but communication isn’t as successful in change-management programs. 11/15/2006 - Seminars to advance financial literacy for women have an immediate, positive impact on participants. 11/15/2006 - Business professionals who are making a conscientious effort to take their mind off work more often and pursue hobbies might be interested in a free online course offered by Rice University to teach music appreciation to adults. SEPTEMBER 2006 09/15/2006 - A new book describes how the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) went from an obscure committee to one of the most influential organizations in the world. 09/15/2006 - New model may be the key to helping companies profit from social practices. 09/15/2006 - The best way to replace a CEO may be to groom a replacement from within. 09/15/2006 - In mixed-race couples, fathers profoundly influence their children's racial identifications. 09/15/2006 - Research shows we trust attractive people more - but we also expect more of them. JULY 2006 07/15/2006 - A lengthy study of Houstonians reveals growing pessimism about the country's future and increasing wariness of immigration and diversity. 07/15/2006 - Open-source projects have the potential to be the next Internet success story. 07/15/2006 - New research on optimal retail pricing provides staggering results. 07/15/2006 - Tax reform gets more much-needed high-level attention. 07/15/2006 - Following successful regulatory initiatives, focus returns to strategy. This summer, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) will release its second Blue Ribbon Commission Report. 07/15/2006 - A new book details how depictions of the spread of disease in films inadvertently promote negative images of racism and sexuality. MAY 2006 05/15/2006 - Contrary to belief, education may help breed segregation 05/15/2006 - China's subway ads and what they say about a country in transition 05/15/2006 - Cancer surgery, especially by experienced surgeons, saving more lives 05/15/2006 - Q&A: Communication essential across companies and cultures 05/15/2006 - New model helps marketers identify customers with greatest lifetime value 05/15/2006 - You can't have one without the other: Sale-priced bacon often sells more eggs APRIL 2006 04/15/2006 - Today's elder caregivers are likely to be tomorrow's elderly poor 04/15/2006 - R&D vital to survival in China's changing economy 04/15/2006 - It takes a team approach to build a better building 04/15/2006 - Communicating change can determine success or failure in mergers and acquisitions 04/15/2006 - Fighting AIDS from the pulpit in Africa MARCH 2006 03/15/2006 - New clues offered about schizophrenia's neurological impact 03/15/2006 - Multinationals should make on-site managers feel part of the inner circle 03/15/2006 - Even small variations in birth weight are related to early cognitive development in boys 03/15/2006 - Managers should help employees overcome shyness 03/15/2006 - Applicants should acknowledge physical disability during job interviews FEBRUARY 2006 02/15/2006 - Outsourcing to Mexico may not improve investment returns, study shows 02/15/2006 - New product success depends on sales staff's trust in manager and how staff is judged 02/15/2006 - Why some churches integrate successfully and others don't 02/15/2006 - African-American religion gives deeper meaning to “Black is beautiful” 02/15/2006 - There's no such thing as a risk-free contract, but it is worth shooting for JANUARY 2006 01/15/2006 - Do Americans demand tax cuts? When given the power, they rarely do 01/15/2006 - The longer you shop, the less tempted you are to buy 01/15/2006 - Scents are more intense when emotions are in motion 01/15/2006 - Trust in corporate America starts with the CEO 01/15/2006 - Legislatures tailor policy more to state supreme courts than to public DECEMBER 2005 12/15/2005 - Wyoming gas production: It's possible and prudent to measure stakeholder views 12/15/2005 - Premature birth rates increases asthmas risk, study finds 12/15/2005 - Planning for the library of the future 12/15/2005 - Microfinance: A way to determine whether the impact was micro or macro 12/15/2005 - Race less a factor in minority mayoral elections NOVEMBER 2005 11/15/2005 - Thin is not "in" for everyone 11/15/2005 - Prosecutors' ambitions may affect plea bargaining 11/15/2005 - Sensing without seeing 11/15/2005 - In today's global business environment, few winners take all OCTOBER 2005 10/15/2005 - Less is more with self-motivated customers 10/15/2005 - "Americanization" may hurt black immigrants' health 10/15/2005 - Churches influence attitudes of new Americans 10/15/2005 - Want a successful company? Pay your employees well 10/15/2005 - Conserve now or pay later: Q & A with Kenneth Medlock Complete Research Archive